June is widely recognized as Pride Month, a time to celebrate and support love of all kinds. On Monday, New Hanover County Schools posted on social media in celebration of the month, but it was deleted shortly afterward. The school system says a new policy is behind that decision.
The post said: “As we step into June, we are excited to celebrate Pride Month, a time dedicated to honoring and recognizing the diverse and vibrant LGBTQ+ community. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for all students, staff, and families.”
“Throughout this month we will be engaging in various activities and initiatives to educate and celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.”
“We encourage everyone to participate, learn, and show support. Let us stand together to show love, identity, and the beautiful diversity that enriches our school district.”
Leslie Posey, a New Hanover County Educational Justice activist, says removing the post speaks volumes.
“I think it says that the school district does not represent all of our students equally,” Posey said. “And that they don’t intend to represent all of our students equally.”
New Hanover County Schools, however, says the decision to take it down was in compliance with Policy 7300 and Policy 3200, which was passed with a vote of 4-1 during Tuesday night’s Board of Education regular June meeting.
That policy defines what teachers and staff can display in classrooms, banning the display of family photos, student art and foreign flags.
New Hanover County Schools says it is working to balance the representation of its values, saying in a statement to Spectrum News 1 on Wednesday, “We recognize the importance of representing our diverse community and are committed to finding ways to do so within the framework of our policies.”
But Posey, a retired teacher, says a policy like this can have an impact on teachers and students.
“I had a lot of maps,” Posey said. “I had a lot of materials from the countries where my students were coming from.”
Posey worries removing these displays could have a devastating emotional impact — especially on minority students — and says she wants kids to feel comfortable being represented for who they are.
Now that Policy 3200 has passed, the only items that will be allowed are signs, displays and flags representing the United States, North Carolina, New Hanover County, the school, mascot and anything representing the curriculum.